Need help with buying decision

[MikevKC]

Hello all. I'm very new to the forum and was reading some posts and thought this was the best place to ask about buying new clubs.

I haven't swung a golf club since I was a freshman in highschool and worked at the local driving range, I'm 33 now. I have decided to start playing golf. I have narrowed it down to 2 options, both are from different schools of thought on beginner club purchases.

The first is a bagged set from a local store, a set of HiPPO Hiptech clubs. They are $300 for the set with bag and a month free pass to the driving range. They look like a good begginer set and right at what I want to pay to get started.

The second option is a used set from craigslist. This set includes a Nike sling shot bag, Ping I3 driver, Nomad irons and putter, Calaway fairway woods, and a Calaway pitching wedge. All clubs in very good condition with newer grips and good shafts. These are also $300. I forgot to ask the seller if there are hybrids or not in this set.

What advice can anyone give me about this purchase. I would like to do this within the next day or so.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[buttuh]

I'd say neither. You can find a decent set of game improvement irons used for around $150. Hang onto the rest until you can find a good used putter that you like. Same with wedges and driver.

[NorCalGolfer]

Yeah man...keep looking for a bit.

[jorruss]

Many people are not familiar with Hippo, but they are a good entry level club. They would probably be fine for a few years as you get back into the game. If you are open to spending a bit more, I would look at the Adams A3 OS set. They have a progressive hybrid to iron set that is very forgiving on mishits and Adams has now established itself as a top tier equipment maker. Check out eBay for good deals and shop around at the local shops. Hit as many different clubs as you can until you find something you like!

[bradabco]

i would suggest waiting and looking around a bit...

[lumpuckeroo]

I'm in agreement with the rest of the posters, wait until you find something you like. There are still some demo days going on, try to make one of them and get an idea of what you like.

[MikevKC]

I usually go the used/ebay route on alot of things, but having the shop locally within a couple of blocks with good customer service so if anything went wrong I wouldn't have to mess around with anything. That is one of the reasons I am thinking of staying with a small shop and not a big box store like Dick's. The shop I was at was talking about the demo days, and they said that I could hit some of the clubs, but to be honest it has been so long that I don't even think I could tell the difference between one or the other.

What would be a good set of game improvement clubs if I were to go the used route?

I take it no one is overly impressed with the used set I found on Craigslist also?

[Jay-Bird]

If I were a beginner, I'd buy a set PING ISI or PING Zing. Very Affordable and VERY forgiving, easy to play clubs.

Ebay has every kind of club you could possibly want.

Ebay purchase a set, try them, and either keep them or resell them.

Rinse and repeat.